For many musicians, discovering their instrument is a gentle process. For Serkan Hakki, it was a lightning bolt moment that would shape his entire life. One day in Aleppo, at just 16 years old, he found his brother’s abandoned Bb clarinet. The moment he picked it up and blew his first note, Serkan felt something deep inside shift. It was as if he had finally found the voice he had been searching for all his life.
This was not just a hobby or a fleeting teenage fascination. It was the start of a lifelong love affair with music. Growing up in Syria, there were no clarinet teachers around, no structured lessons, and almost no resources for learning this Western instrument in an Arabic music context. But Serkan was determined. He taught himself by listening, experimenting, and most importantly, trusting his instincts.
Inspired by the East and the West
Serkan’s music is a vibrant tapestry woven from different cultural threads. Deeply influenced by Arabic, Turkish, and Kurdish music, he later found new sparks of inspiration in jazz and flamenco. These diverse sounds helped him shape a unique musical identity that combines traditional roots with global influences.
Through his travels and time living in countries like the United States, Spain, and Turkey, Serkan immersed himself in different societies and their musical culture. Experiencing these cultures allowed him to deeply understand their rhythms, emotions, and traditions allowed him to draw his own sound with authenticity and depth.
Combining these worlds gives me creative freedom to tell stories that resonate across cultures, Serkan explains. It is a space where I feel both challenged and completely at home.
This fearless blending of genres is what sets Serkan apart. While many musicians stay inside their comfort zones, he thrives on crossing boundaries and connecting unexpected musical worlds.
The Birth of In The Studio Project
Today, Serkan Hakki is on a mission to change the way we experience music. His ambitious new venture, In The Studio Project, is designed to open up the intimate world of studio music to audiences everywhere. Instead of the traditional concert hall experience, Serkan invites small groups of music lovers right into the studio for live performances.
These intimate concerts allow listeners to truly feel the raw energy and emotion behind each note. We want people to experience music in its purest form, Serkan shares. When you are in the studio, you can hear every breath, every subtle detail. It is a whole new way of connecting with sound.
But it does not stop there. The project also supports talented independent musicians from around the world by providing them with a creative space, tools, and opportunities to collaborate. Serkan calls it a global platform for live music experiences that starts right from the musician’s home, the studio.
Overcoming Limitations to Find His Voice
Serkan’s journey has never been easy. In Syria, he had no formal training and no roadmap for how to incorporate the clarinet into Arabic music. But he turned these limitations into his greatest strengths.
The most valuable lesson I have learned is that limitations can spark innovation, Serkan says. Not having access to teachers or resources forced me to find my own sound. That experience continues to shape everything I do today.
Instead of copying what already existed, Serkan listened deeply to his surroundings, to the traditional melodies of his heritage, and to the modern sounds he loved. He developed a style that is deeply personal, authentic, and completely unique.
A Legacy of Connection and Authenticity
Serkan doesn’t just want to be remembered as a talented clarinetist. He wants to be known as a connector of cultures and artists. One of his proudest achievements is introducing the clarinet into Arabic music in a meaningful and expressive way.
I hope to be remembered as the first one who entered the clarinet into the tradition of Arabic music and expanded the boundaries of what it can express, Serkan shares. His goal is to create a legacy of authenticity that inspires musicians and listeners alike to embrace their own unique voices.
Through his work, Serkan is creating bridges between worlds, showing us that music truly is a universal language.
Advice for Aspiring Musicians
When asked what advice he would give to young artists, Serkan offers words that reflect his own fearless journey: Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to sound different. Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to be valid. Keep listening, keep experimenting, and understand that what makes you unique is your career.
This philosophy is at the heart of his music and his life. Serkan’s path wasn’t carved out for him. He created it step by step, note by note. And now, he’s using that experience to inspire others to do the same.
What’s Next for Serkan Hakki?
Currently, Serkan is fully focused on developing the In The Studio Project into a global movement. He envisions a future where musicians from every corner of the world can come together, collaborate, and share their stories directly with listeners.
By offering musicians tools and support in an intimate setting, Serkan hopes to create a ripple effect that encourages more independent artists to step forward and shine. His project is not just about concerts. It is about building a community and redefining how we experience and share music.
Serkan’s story is a reminder that great things can come from the most unexpected places, like an abandoned clarinet in a small Syrian home. It shows us the power of self-belief, the beauty of cross-cultural expression, and the importance of staying true to one’s own voice.
Through every performance and every new project, Serkan Hakki continues to break barriers and inspire a new generation of musicians and music lovers worldwide.
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